ATHENS -- In between the much-heralded Georgia tailbacks and increasingly dominant offensive line stands Merritt Hall. The redshirt freshman fullback goes about his work quietly, opening the holes for Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall to run through.

He doesn't get much attention and is able to walk around campus relatively unnoticed. In his quiet way however, Hall is becoming one of the most important parts of the Bulldogs offense.

Hall's spot in the Bulldogs team has been well earned. The Alpharetta, Ga., native walked on for the scout team where he caught the attention of the Georgia coaches. He said that just having the opportunity to compete for a spot in the Bulldogs team means a lot.

"I was blessed with a great opportunity to fight for this spot and to be able to play at this level is obviously a blessing," Hall said. "I'm just trying to take full advantage of it."

After being named the team's outstanding walk-on at the conclusion of spring practice, Hall was awarded a scholarship on August 12.

"Obviously it means a great deal," Hall said. "Any time anybody works for something and they reach the goal they set, which for me was to play and start for this football team, obviously it means a great deal."

Coming into the offense this year, Hall is one of the younger players in a team packed with veterans. Hall said that the veterans at every position have helped him in adapting to his role as a starter.

"It's been great and they've been great mentors and great leaders on and off the field," Hall said. "They've just shown me the ropes. I've been listening to them and listening to what they have to say."

It has been quite the season for any player debuting in the current Bulldog offense, one that has become the first in school history to score forty or more points in its first five games. For Hall though, simply playing the game of football is fun.

"I love this game. This is why I came here, I thought I could play and now I am I'm enjoying it a lot," he said. "There's nothing really compares to playing this game. I don't think there's any sport like this. Just being part of a great team like this it's been great so far."

Playing 90 minutes away from his home is something that is making his first season on the field for Georgia even better for Hall.

"It's been great playing this close to home," he said. "My parents have been able to make every game so far so that's awesome. I have a lot of family that's really close so it's good to see them after the games and it's good they actually get to come and experience it."